'This is Mrityu Kumbh...': Mamata attacks Yogi government over stampede
What's the story
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the Maha Kumbh Mela stampede which happened on January 29 in Prayagraj. The stampede left 30 people dead. Banerjee condemned the organization of the event and questioned the recovery of bodies. "This is the 'Mrityu' (death) Kumbh...I respect the Maha Kumbh, and I respect Ganga maa...but there is no planning. How many people's bodies have been recovered?" she asked.
Attack
'For VIPs...there are systems available'
She also pointed out the difference in treatment meted out to rich and poor at the event. "For the rich, the VIPs...there are systems available to get tents after paying as much as Rs 1 lakh. But for the poor, there are no arrangements made. A stampede situation can happen in large public gatherings, yes," she said in the Bengal Assembly. "But it is important to make arrangements. What planning did you (the BJP) make?"
Accountability sought
Opposition demands accountability for Kumbh Mela stampede
The opposition, spearheaded by Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav, has also slammed the BJP for poor planning and sought accountability. Yadav highlighted a 300-kilometer traffic jam en route to Prayagraj as proof of mismanagement. Reacting to Banerjee's comments, BJP's Suvendu Adhikari called on Hindus to protest her statements. BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya said Banerjee's remarks showed she feared losing the 2026 elections. He likened her to Arvind Kejriwal's political troubles in Delhi.
Defense stance
Banerjee defends herself against accusations of communalism
BJP legislators also protested against alleged appeasement politics of Banerjee's government. They sat on a sit-in at the West Bengal Assembly premises. Banerjee accused them of using religion for political gain and defended herself against accusations related to communalism. "I respect all religions equally... I have never done politics over religion," she said in her defense during the assembly session.